Then began a duel in which the savage's quickness and cunning matched the white man's strength and fury.

Silvertip dodged the vicious swings Joe aimed at him; he parried many blows, any one of which would have crushed his skull.

Nimble as a cat, he avoided every rush, while his dark eyes watched for an opening.

He fought wholly on the defensive, craftily reserving his strength until his opponent should tire.
At last, catching the bar on his hatchet, he broke the force of the blow, and then, with agile movement, dropped to the ground and grappled Joe's legs.

Long before this he had drawn his knife, and now he used it, plunging the blade into the young man's side.
Cunning and successful as was the savage's ruse, it failed signally, for to get hold of the Shawnee was all Joe wanted.